[02/26/09 - 02:43 PM]Bravo's "Top Chef: New York" Stirs Up Highest Rated Season EverBravo spins the numbers for February 24-25.

[via press release from Bravo]

BRAVO'S "TOP CHEF: NEW YORK" STIRS UP HIGHEST RATED SEASON EVER

3.74 Million Viewers Watch Hosea Rosenberg Win "Top Chef"

"Real Housewives" Franchise Continues To Post Record Breaking Numbers

NEW YORK - February 26, 2009 - The season five finale of the No.1 food show on cable, Bravo's Emmy and James Beard Award-winning "Top Chef" scored 2.77 million adults 18-49 and 3.74 million total viewers last night, making this season the highest rated ever, according to Nielsen Media Research. The finale ranked as the most watched cable telecast of the day in adults 18-49 and No. 1 in prime among total viewers, and showcased Hosea Rosenberg beating out fellow chef'testant finalists Carla Hall and Stefan Richter to become "Top Chef."

This season, "Top Chef: New York" averaged 2.14 million adults 18-49 and 3.02 million total viewers. Versus season four, the show is up 18 percent in adults 18-49 (vs. 1.81 million) and 19 percent in total viewers (vs. 2.54 million). Season-to-date, the series ranks No.1 for all cable entertainment in its Wednesday 10 p.m. time period among adults 18-49 and total viewers, and with the finale, the series also marked its fifth consecutive week of gains in those demographics.

The 17 chef'testants return next week for Bravo's "Top Chef New York: Watch What Happens Reunion" hosted by Bravo programming exec Andy Cohen, Wed. March 4 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Cohen chats up the chef'testants, asking the burning questions fans want to know - what really happened with Leah and Hosea, how much do Stefan and Fabio love one another, who has a crush on Tom, and more. Host Padma Lakshmi, head judge Tom Colicchio, and judges Gail Simmons and Toby Young weigh in on their thoughts about the season, and the "Top Chef: New York" 'Fan Favorite' winner will also be announced during the reunion special. For an exclusive interview with "Top Chef: New York" winner Hosea Rosenberg, go to http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef/videos/the-newest-top-chef-0.

"The Real Housewives of Orange County's" fourth season reunion special delivered record numbers this week with 2.2 million total viewers and 1.6 million adults 18-49, making it the highest rated episode in series history. The reunion special increased from the previous week's finale by 12 percent among total viewers (vs. 2.0 million) and 11 percent among adults 18-49 (vs. 1.4 million). Tuesday night's special also increased from the show's season three reunion special (on 1/29/08) by 61 percent among total viewers and 66 percent among adults 18-49.

"The Real Housewives of New York City" continues its ratings momentum, earning double-digit increases across all key demos with 1.41 million adults 18-49 and 1.86 million total viewers tuning in, up 15 percent and 13 percent respectively from the season two premiere. The episode marked a series high among adults 18-49 and total viewers, and also earned the No. 1 spot among all cable networks in its timeslot for women 18-49. Through two episodes, "The Real Housewives of New York City" is up a remarkable 117 percent among adults 18-49 (1.32 million vs. 609,000) and 113 percent among total viewers (1.75 million vs. 824,000) versus season one.

Source: Nielsen Media Research, Live + Same Day through 2/25/09.

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